Written Answers

Thursday 25 May 2000

Scottish Executive

Ambulance Service

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ambulances and ambulance personnel there were, broken down by health board area, in each of the last five years.

Susan Deacon: This information is provided in the following tables.

  Table 1: Number of Ambulances and Ambulance Staff1 – Accident and Emergency Service

  


Health Board


1995-96


1996-97


1997-98




Vehicles


Staff


Vehicles


Staff


Vehicles


Staff




Argyll & Clyde


50


153.0


51


157.0


51


155.0




Ayrshire & Arran


36


140.0


32


141.0


32


138.0




Borders


1986.0


88.0


18


86.0


18


90.0




Dumfries & Galloway


28


88.0


26


99.0


26


97.0




Fife


26


110.0


25


110.0


25


110.0




Forth Valley


15


63.0


15


66.0


15


66.0




Grampian


45


150.0


41.0


162.0


41


162.0




Greater Glasgow


54


191.0


57


195.0


57


199.0




Highland


50


145.0


49


181.0


49


181.0




Lanarkshire


30


141.0


29


141.0


29


146.0




Lothian


42


190.0


45


190.0


45


199.0




Orkney


5


6.0


5


8.0


5


9.0




Shetland


6


6.0


6


8.0


6


7.0




Tayside


31


109.0


33


131.0


33


137.0




Western Isles


11


11.0


11


24.0


11


28.0




SCOTLAND


448


1591.0


443


1699.0


443


1724.0




  


Health Board


1998-99


1999-2000




Staff


Vehicles


Vehicles


Staff




Argyll & Clyde


154.0


52


51


155.0




Ayrshire & Arran


143.0


31


32


141.0




Borders


90.0


18


18


90.0




Dumfries & Galloway


97.0


26


26


97.0




Fife


110.0


24


25


110.0




Forth Valley


66.0


15


15


66.0




Grampian


163.0


41


41


162.0




Greater Glasgow


199.0


59


57


209.0




Highland


180.0


49


49


180.0




Lanarkshire


146.0


29


29


146.0




Lothian


193.0


42


45


195.0




Orkney


9.0


5


5


9.0




Shetland


7.0


6


6


7.0




Tayside


137.0


33


33


137.0




Western Isles


28.0


11


11


28.0




SCOTLAND


1722.0


441


443


1732.0




  Notes:

  1. The numbers of vehicles is the vehicle establishment available for use in each health board area. The numbers of staff is the staff establishment on front line vehicles (whole-time equivalents in each health board area).

  Table 2: Number of Ambulances and Ambulance Staff1 – Non-Emergency Service

  


Health Board


1995-96


1996-97


1997-98




Vehicles


Staff


Vehicles


Staff


Vehicles


Staff




Argyll & Clyde


52


62.8


52


62.8


52


63.4




Ayrshire & Arran


41


56.6


41


56.6


41


56.6




Borders


14


22.7


14


22.7


15


22.7




Dumfries & Galloway


18


31.6


18


31.6


18


31.6




Fife


34


49.5


34


49.5


35


49.5




Forth Valley


20


36.3


20


36.3


22


36.3




Grampian


41


57.0


41


57.0


46


57.0




Greater Glasgow


68


120.4


68


120.4


67


120.4




Highland


16


24.0


16


24.0


18


24.0




Lanarkshire


35


59.0


35


59.0


35


59.0




Lothian


60


74.5


60


74.5


60


73.5




Orkney


0


0.0


0


0.0


0


0.0




Shetland


1


1.3


1


1.3


1


1.3




Tayside


48


58.8


48


58.8


45


60.5




Western Isles


1


2.0


1


2.0


1


2.0




SCOTLAND


449


656.5


449


656.5


456


657.8




  


Health Board


1999-2000


1998-99




Vehicles


Vehicles


Staff


Staff




Argyll & Clyde


51


52


62.8


62.8




Ayrshire & Arran


41


41


56.6


56.6




Borders


16


15


22.7


22.7




Dumfries & Galloway


19


18


31.6


31.6




Fife


36


35


49.5


49.5




Forth Valley


24


22


36.3


36.3




Grampian


48


46


57.0


57.0




Greater Glasgow


65


67


120.4


120.4




Highland


17


18


24.0


24.0




Lanarkshire


37


35


59.0


59.0




Lothian


59


60


74.5


74.5




Orkney


0


0


0.0


0.0




Shetland


1


1


1.3


1.3




Tayside


45


45


58.8


58.8




Western Isles


1


1


2.0


2.0




SCOTLAND


460


456


656.5


656.5




  Notes:

  1. The numbers of vehicles is the vehicle establishment available for use in each health board. The numbers of staff is the staff establishment on patient transport vehicles (whole-time equivalents in each health board area). This table does not include information on the voluntary car service that is used by the ambulance service.

Cancer

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Susan Deacon: Raising awareness amongst GPs is the key issue, since early reporting of symptoms and rapid referral to a urologist are essential when symptoms of the disease occur. The Scottish Cancer Group is discussing with GPs and urologists the issuing of guidelines on the urgent referral of these cases.

Civil Service

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many posts in the Scottish Executive, including its agencies, have been created in or transferred to the South of Scotland since 1 July 1999 and what plans it has for the future transfer or creation of such posts.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Executive, its agencies and non-ministerial departments currently have 769 posts in the local authority areas covering the South of Scotland. No additional permanent posts have been created or transferred to the area since 1 July 1999.

  The Executive’s policy on location and relocation of civil service jobs remains as set out by the First Minister in his answer of 15 September 1999 (S1W-1558, Mr Duncan McNeil MSP). When opportunities arise potential locations across Scotland will be considered on a case-by-case basis consistent with our objectives of efficiency and effectiveness.

Civil Service

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to encourage the dispersal of civil service jobs to Fife.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Executive’s policy on the location and relocation of civil service jobs remains as set out by the First Minister in his answer of 15 September 1999 (S1W-558, Mr Duncan McNeil MSP).

  Potential locations across Scotland will be considered on a case-by-case basis consistent with our objectives of efficiency and effectiveness.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take in relation to the findings of the recently published report Detailed results of the October 1999 School Survey of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Peter Peacock: An extensive programme involving expenditure of over £100 million is already under way to develop Information and Communications Technology in Scottish schools. This survey is one of a number of measures that provide useful baseline information against which to track progress.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide details of the ratio of computers of less than four years old to pupils in primary schools, discounting those that are used mainly for administration purposes.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide details of the ratio of computers of less than four years old to pupils in secondary schools, discounting those that are used mainly for administration purposes.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide details of the ratio of computers of less than four years old to pupils in special schools, discounting those that are used mainly for administration purposes.

Peter Peacock: This information will be available when the detailed results of the 1999 School Census are published in July 2000.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide details of the ratio of computers of less than four years old to pupils in pre-school centres, discounting those that are used mainly for administration purposes.

Peter Peacock: This information is not available.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all teachers in secondary schools to have their own e-mail address.

Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive expects that all teachers in secondary schools will have their own e-mail address by 2002.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all teachers in primary schools to have their own e-mail address.

Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive expects that all teachers in primary schools will have their own e-mail address by 2002.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all teachers in special schools to have their own e-mail address.

Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive expects that all teachers in special schools will have their own e-mail address by 2002.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all teachers in pre-school centres to have their own e-mail address.

Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive has no targets for the provision of e-mail addresses to teachers in pre-school centres.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all pupils in secondary schools to have their own e-mail address.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all pupils in primary schools to have their own e-mail address.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all pupils in special schools to have their own e-mail address.

Peter Peacock: The target set out in Making it Work Together: A Programme for Government is that there should be an e-mail address for every school child by 2002.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all pupils in pre-school centres to have their own e-mail address.

Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive has not set any targets for pupils in pre-school centres to have their own e-mail addresses.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all primary schools to have access to the Internet for World Wide Web use.

Peter Peacock: Scottish local authorities are working towards the target of having all schools connected to the Internet by 2002.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all special schools to have access to the Internet for World Wide Web use.

Peter Peacock: Scottish local authorities are working towards the target of having all schools connected to the Internet by 2002.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects all pre-school centres to have access to the Internet for World Wide Web use.

Peter Peacock: The Scottish Executive has not established any targets for pre-school centres to have access to the Internet.

Education

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to require local authorities to offer courses in modern studies to Higher levels in all secondary schools.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The eight modes identified by the Scottish Consultative Council on the curriculum’s guideline for secondary schools as core curriculum requirements in S3-S4, remain important in structuring the total curricular provision in S5-S6 years. However, all of these modes are not expected to be represented in the curriculum of all S5-S6 pupils, including the Social and Environmental Studies mode which covers Modern Studies.

  According to Scottish Qualifications Authority figures, 357 secondary schools presented candidates for the Modern Studies Highers in 1999.

Education

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase the uptake of modern studies in Scottish secondary schools.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The 5-14 Environmental Studies curriculum guidelines cover modern studies through the outcome "People and Society".

  Thereafter, the range of options available to pupils to continue studies in almost all subjects is the responsibility of schools and education authorities and the individual choice of the pupil will depend on the options available.

Employment

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce unemployment in North Ayrshire.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is very conscious of the particular problems of areas such as North Ayrshire and we shall seek to ensure, through investing in jobs and skills, fostering enterprise and encouraging the growth of new businesses, that we create sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities for all members of the community.

Employment

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what has been the change in the level of employment in each sector for which figures are available between 1997 and the present date.

Henry McLeish: Levels of employment by major industrial division in Scotland are shown in the table below. Figures are given for winter 1997, winter 1999 and the difference between these levels.

  Employment in Scotland, 1997 and 1999 (000)

  

 

Winter 1997


Winter 1999


Difference


% Difference




All industries


2,319


2,326


+7


+0.3




Agriculture, forestry and fishing


51


51


0


0




Mining, quarrying


33


33


0


0




Manufacturing


391


344


-47


-12




Electricity, gas and water supply


21


24


+3


+15




Construction


182


188


+6


+3




Wholesale, retail & motor 
trade


342


335


-7


+2




Hotels, & restaurants


119


129


+10


+9




Transport, storage & comms


144


157


+13


+9




Financial intermediation


99


99


0


0




Real estate, & business


199


189


-10


-5




Public administration & defence


146


160


+14


+9




Education


156


187


+31


+20




Health & social work


298


278


-20


-7




Other community, & social


125


135


+10


+8




Other


13


17


+4


+34




  Source: Labour Force Survey, not seasonally adjusted.

Enterprise

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring forward a strategy to sustain and develop the textile industry.

Henry McLeish: The textile sector is a vital part of many local economies in Scotland. Given the intense global competitive pressures on this sector, we are determined to do all we can to support it. I have therefore set up a Textiles Forum, bringing together the full range of expertise in the private and public sectors and in trades unions. It will be meeting shortly to discuss the way forward for all sectors of the industry. The approach in Scotland will build on the textile strategy document for the UK due to be launched soon.

Environment

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the concerns expressed by the Ness District Fishing Board in their submissions to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency dated 29 October 1999 have been investigated prior to the commencement of any development work at Urquhart Castle.

Rhona Brankin: Historic Scotland has investigated the concerns raised by the Ness District Fishing Board in their submission to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. A written response was submitted to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency which was taken into account by them in determining the application for a discharge consent. The discharge consent was issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on 1 March 2000.

European Funding

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the loss of assisted area status to Arbroath will have on the local economy.

Henry McLeish: This is a reserved matter.

  The Scottish Executive does not make economic or employment forecasts for local areas in relation to the Assisted Areas map. However, I recognise that there are concerns in Arbroath, and in other areas, about the revised Assisted Areas map proposals. Only this morning I met a delegation from Arbroath, to hear at first hand of these concerns.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what role the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency will play in the policing of Regulated Fishing Orders.

Mr John Home Robertson: Responsibility for enforcement of any controls or conditions of a Regulating Order rests with the grantee of the Order. The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency has no role in such Orders, although it is ready to offer advice on any proposals relating to the grantee's enforcement role.

Freedom of Information

Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring the Scottish Police Service under the remit of the proposed Freedom of Information Bill.

Angus MacKay: The consultation document An Open Scotland , published in November 1999, set out the Executive’s view that the police and police authorities in Scotland should be covered by the Scottish freedom of information legislation. This would be in respect of all their activities, both operational and administrative, subject to a number of exemptions protecting sensitive information, in particular information relating to criminal investigations. Currently we are analysing the responses to the consultation exercise and, in relation to coverage of the police, will bring forward detailed proposals in due course.

Health

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many health boards are currently, or are considering, consulting with their communities on the future shape of NHS services in their area.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive would expect health boards to be involved in a process of ongoing dialogue with local communities and, where appropriate, specific groups with regards to the design and delivery of services. A number of large-scale formal consultation exercises are currently taking place across the country with regards to health board proposals for major service changes and development.

Health

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to improve the treatment of heart disease among women.

Susan Deacon: It is a fundamental policy of the Scottish Executive that treatment in the NHS in Scotland should be based on clinical need.

  The CHD Task Force has been looking at issues related to equity of access to cardiac services. It is generally accepted that women tend to develop coronary heart disease later than men and are harder to evaluate because they give less typical histories. There is some evidence to suggest that because women tend to seek treatment later than men following onset of chest pain they may be less suitable for thrombolysis ("clot-busting"). This tendency to delay seeking help may relate to a higher tolerance of pain amongst women.

  Once women commence treatment, there is no evidence to suggest that the treatment they receive is inferior to that given to men, although it has to be borne in mind that the smaller size of women’s arteries in general can make it more difficult to revascularise them than men. The improvement of treatment of CHD amongst women will therefore proceed in parallel with that for men.

Health

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which Scottish hospitals have removed organs from dead children without parental consent in financial years 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 and currently.

Susan Deacon: I refer the member to my answer to question S1W-5615.

Health

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct an inquiry to determine how many organs have been retained at Yorkhill Children’s Hospital without parental knowledge and consent in the last twenty years.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct an inquiry to determine how many organs are currently held at Yorkhill Children’s Hospital without the knowledge of parents.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the decision of Yorkhill Children’s Hospital not to inform parents of instances where their children’s organs have been retained without their consent.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to give any advice to Yorkhill Children's Hospital as it considers its long-term strategy for dealing with organs that have been retained without parental consent in previous years.

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will conduct a review of Yorkhill Children's Hospital’s current procedure for the retention of organs to ensure that they comply fully with the guidelines published by the Royal College of Pathologists on 23 March 2000.

Susan Deacon: Of the four NHS Trusts in Scotland delivering paediatric pathology services, all but Yorkhill NHS Trust included a statement in the post-mortem consent form covering the retention of organs or tissue for medical education or research.

  The Scottish Executive Health Department has issued a Management Executive Letter (MEL(2000)21) dated 27 April 2000 which makes it clear that all Trusts in Scotland are expected to comply with the Royal College of Pathologists’ "Guidelines for the retention of tissues and organs at post-mortem". In particular, they are expected to use the model form drawn up by the college for use when carrying out a post-mortem with the consent of relatives. That form contains specific questions about the retention of organs and their subsequent disposal. We have also drawn all Trusts’ attention to the guidance published by the Medical Research Council on the use of samples of human tissue for research.

  Yorkhill has considered very carefully, in conjunction with parents’ representatives, whether it should inform parents that their children’s organs have been retained without their consent. Parents’ representatives took the view that a pro-active approach could be a distressing intrusion into the very different and highly personal ways in which parents and families cope with the loss of a child. The Trust has accepted that view, but will of course respond sensitively to any approaches it receives from parents.

  The Trust is now undertaking a review over the next 6-12 months of the retained organs to identify those of particular and continuing educational value. All other organs would be disposed of with respect and dignity after allowing a suitable interval, possibly a year, for further parental inquiries.

  The Scottish Executive is aware of the census of all hospital pathology departments in England being undertaken by the Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health in England. He is expected to report in September, and consideration will be given to whether the recommendations he makes have any implications for the NHS in Scotland. We shall also consider whether any further action needs to be taken in the light of the recommendations of the interim report issued on 11 May by the public inquiry investigating paediatric cardiac surgery at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Housing

Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to provide incentives for homeowners and developers to install solar heating mechanisms in homes and whether there is any evidence that the present upfront costs are a disincentive.

Mr Frank McAveety: There are no plans for such incentives. It is for householders and landlords to decide on the heating systems they use. The cost of the mechanisms may discourage some investment but the reason may equally lie in the technical limitations of current systems. Demand may rise as these limitations are overcome.

Housing

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make an announcement on the appointment of a new Chief Executive to Scottish Homes.

Ms Wendy Alexander: As I announced to Parliament on 9 December 1999, the Scottish Executive intend to introduce a Housing Bill later this year which, subject to the approval of Parliament, will (subject to very limited exceptions) transfer to Scottish Ministers the functions currently performed by Scottish Homes. We will create a new executive agency for this purpose.

  As the law currently stands, responsibility for appointing a new Chief Executive rests with the Board of Scottish Homes, subject to the approval of Scottish Ministers. However, in view of the transition to executive agency status, the Scottish Executive with Scottish Homes have been considering the nature of the proposed new Chief Executive's post and a way forward has now been agreed. The Board of Scottish Homes will shortly commence the recruitment process.

  It is our intention that staff working in Scottish Homes should transfer to employment within the civil service, either within the new executive agency or in the core Scottish Executive and to undertake there substantially the same duties which they undertook in Scottish Homes. It is also our intention that whoever is appointed following the recruitment process about to be launched by the Scottish Homes Board would be appointed as Chief Executive of the executive agency, provided the person is still in post when Scottish Homes' functions transfer to Scottish Ministers. The Chief Executive would take up the new appointment on substantially the same terms and conditions of employment as those on which he or she would hold office with Scottish Homes.

  As I have done before, I pay tribute to continued dedication of Scottish Homes staff and the important contribution that they make. I recognise that this is an unsettling time for them.

  I am sure that the most practical way of handling the transition and providing reassurance to the staff is to have one Chief Executive who will be in post in the run-up to the creation of the agency and to lead it from the vesting day.

Influenza

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or information it has received from the World Health Organisation (WHO) with regard to the occurrence of specific strains of influenza and related viruses from July 1999; what vaccination programme the WHO proposed or suggested to combat the flu virus; what response the Scottish Executive made to that advice and whether this correspondence will be published.

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it took in response to the recommendation of the World Health Organisation that vaccination programmes in the UK, including Scotland, should be extended ahead of winter 1999.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive does not receive advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on its influenza vaccination programme. The WHO meets each year with vaccine manufacturers to agree the composition of the influenza vaccine for the coming influenza season. This information is then circulated amongst vaccine manufacturers, National Influenza Centres and WHO Regional Offices and a press release with the relevant details is issued. The Department of Health in England then negotiates the purchase of vaccine on behalf of the UK Health Departments. The arrangements for the vaccination programme are for UK Health Departments acting on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Justice

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of any current diversion from prosecution schemes.

Angus MacKay: The Justice Department currently funds pilot diversion from prosecution schemes in 18 local authorities. These include a range of general social work diversion schemes, substance misuse schemes and mediation and reparation schemes. They are principally directed towards the needs of drug and alcohol misusers and mentally disordered, young and women accused where the offence is not of a serious nature.

Kvaerner Energy Working Group

Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Kvaerner Energy Working Group has met and what the dates of those meetings were.

Henry McLeish: The Kvaerner Energy Working Group has met five times so far. It first met on 8 September 1999, and subsequently on 5 November, 11 November, 10 January and 14 April. Prior to 8 September, the Kvaerner Task Force, established in April 1999, had responsibility for assisting in the sale of the three facilities in Scotland which Kvaerner plc wanted to sell, including Kvaerner Energy.

Lip Reading

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how the availability of lip-reading courses in Scotland compares with that of other EU countries.

Mr Sam Galbraith: This information is not held centrally.

Local Government

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what encouragement it gives to local authorities to follow best practice in relation to general management and personnel issues.

Mr Frank McAveety: Local authorities are independent corporate bodies. It is entirely for them to determine what arrangements, within the law, are best suited to their needs in carrying out their functions.

Local Government Elections

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to alter the date of the next local authority elections to 2003 from spring 2002.

Mr Frank McAveety: This issue was included in our post-McIntosh consultation paper and we are presently considering the responses received. The outcome of the deliberations of the renewing local democracy group will also be relevant in reaching a decision.

Mike Tyson

Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty’s Government, Glasgow City Council or the Scottish Football Association about the possibility of Mike Tyson fighting in Glasgow this year.

Angus MacKay: The Minister for Justice conveyed to Home Office Ministers the strong feeling in Scotland that Mike Tyson should not be granted entry clearance for the purpose of the boxing match planned for Glasgow next month. The Minister for Children and Education conveyed a similar view to the Scottish Football Association, recognising that the management of Hampden Stadium is a matter for the SFA. No views were conveyed to the City of Glasgow Council.

NHS Pay

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6004 by Susan Deacon on 4 May 2000, whether any submissions have been made as part of the negotiations on NHS pay modernisation to extend the current Pay Review Body structure and, if so, what groups of staff are being considered.

Susan Deacon: Progress on the possible extension to the remit of the Nurses Pay Review Body (NPRB) has so far been limited to the agreement of a working definition of the type of staff group that might be considered for inclusion. This definition was part of the joint statement issued by the four UK Health Departments and healthcare trade unions on 8 October 1999.

National Parks (Scotland) Bill

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the terms of the National Parks (Scotland) Bill can accommodate the establishment of a marine national park off the east coast of Scotland but outwith the boundary set by the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999.

Sarah Boyack: The terms of the National Parks (Scotland) Bill do not refer to any sea boundary. The boundaries of any individual marine national park would be considered on its merits and defined on a case-by-case basis.

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has issued any guidance to Scottish police forces as to the format in which accident statistics should be kept.

Mr Jim Wallace: Police forces do not normally collect statistical information on accidents. The exception is road accidents that involve personal injury. Road Accidents Scotland 1998 , published by the Scottish Executive and available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, describes how the information may be collected.

Road Safety

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to promote the "Safer Routes to School" guidelines.

Sarah Boyack: The Safer Routes to School guidelines were issued to all schools and local authorities in December 1999. They are intended as a toolkit of measures for use by all those involved in the journey to school to help them to set up safe and environmentally friendly routes that will encourage children to walk, cycle or take public transport to school instead of being driven.

  The Executive will be issuing letters shortly to local authorities allocating additional capital consents, totalling £5.2 million, to take forward work on the implementation of safer routes to school in the current financial year.

Rural Affairs

Mr John Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline its strategy for dealing with economic difficulties faced by rural communities.

Alasdair Morrison: Rural Scotland; A New Approach ,  which was published earlier this week, sets out the Scottish Executive's commitment to supporting rural economic development, building on rural Scotland's strengths, as well as tackling the problems and barriers which can hinder economic development in rural areas. The Scottish Executive, together with a wide range of public and private sector organisations and agencies, is committed to supporting a number of different initiatives aimed at promoting economic development in rural areas. The variety of these different initiatives reflects the diverse characteristics of rural areas and the diversity of the rural economy.

Rural Affairs

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which agencies, organisations and individuals are currently carrying out research projects focussing on rural deprivation indicators, either in Scotland or in the UK as a whole.

Ross Finnie: We are aware of studies currently being undertaken in England by both the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and the Countryside Agency, and in Wales by the National Assembly for Wales (NAW). I will be publishing shortly the results of a study commissioned by the Scottish Executive into Social Exclusion in Rural Areas. This study reviews current understanding of social exclusion in a rural context and explores how the operation and experience of social exclusion differs in rural compared to urban areas.

Rural Affairs

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to co-ordinate the findings of research projects into rural deprivation indicators and whether it will consider the findings of any such projects.

Ross Finnie: I announced on 22 May that the Executive is establishing a working group, which will include representatives from local authorities and enterprise bodies, to pull together work done on rural disadvantage at a Scottish level. This will include both research and work which is emerging in individual rural areas.

  This group, whose membership and remit will be announced shortly, will provide advice to Ministers on indicators of rural poverty and disadvantage, with a view to improving our understanding and assisting in the development and targeting of policies.

Schools

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive to list all individuals and organisations who have made representations to it concerning the split-site nature of Bell Baxter High School, Cupar, Fife.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Yourself and Iain Smith MSP on behalf of the Bell Baxter High School Board.

Sport

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans exist to assist the development of shinty and encourage greater take-up of the sport.

Rhona Brankin: Since 1991,  sportscotland has invested some £550,000 in a Team Sport Shinty Co-ordinator and two local development officers specifically to develop the grass roots of the sport. In addition to the £500,000 Lottery Sports Fund monies which has been awarded to improve shinty’s facilities, £15,000 was approved in February of this year for the Camanachd Association from the Lottery Fund Junior Groups Programme.

  sportscotland is presently working closely with the Camanachd Association on a new development plan. An integral part of the plan is the development of the game at youth and grass roots level.

Substance Abuse

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to address the issue of volatile substance abuse in Scotland.

Angus MacKay: At a national level our main efforts concentrate on health education and raising awareness through the efforts of the Health Education Board for Scotland. Current policy focuses on preventing volatile substance abuse through the education of young people, professionals and retailers and, where practicable, restricting the sales of solvent-based products. At a local level, Drug Action Teams are expected to give due attention to volatile substance abuse issues when drawing up their strategic plans.

Teachers

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive the report of the McCrone Committee of Inquiry into the professional conditions of teachers.

Mr Sam Galbraith: 31 May.

Teachers

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which illnesses are deemed to be permanent by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency for the purposes of ill-health pensions.

Mr Sam Galbraith: It would be inappropriate to have a list of illnesses which were automatically considered permanent for the purposes of ill health pensions. The decision is made, following medical advice, on an individual basis and depends on the severity of the condition in each particular case.

Teachers

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how long, on average, the Scottish Public Pensions Agency takes to award an ill-health pension.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The average period from receipt of the request to the issue of the decision is currently around five weeks.

Teachers

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many sufferers of myalgic encephalomyelitis have (a) applied for and (b) been awarded teachers’ ill-health pensions in each of the last five years.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Statistics specifically relating to suffers from myalgic encephalomyelitis have not been kept for the full period requested. The figures available are given in the table below.

  


Year


Applications received


Applications approved




1999-2000


30


19




1998-99


28


14




1997-98


22


17

Teachers

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how long, on average, it has taken to award an ill-health pension to teachers with myalgic encephalomyelitis over the last five years.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Separate statistics are not kept for the processing times to award pensions to teachers with different conditions.

  Teachers with myalgic encephalomylitis (ME) whose claims are initially rejected are encouraged to reapply should their condition worsen or not respond to treatment. The majority of ME sufferers do recover as illustrated by two studies reported in the Association of NHS Occupational Physicians (ANHOPS) guidelines which note that 60-70% of patients make a good functional recovery within four years. However, these extended timescales for recovery mean that the period between initial application and award can be extensive and this is recognised in the generally accepted medical guidance.

Teachers

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of all new teacher pensioners have been awarded an ill-health pension in each of the last five years.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Figures for the numbers of ill health retirements and for the percentage of all retirements to have been ill-health retirements are given in the table below. They are distorted by changes in the numbers of other early retirements, particularly in 1997-98.

  


Year


Number


Percentage




1999-2000


367


31%




1998-99


367


26%




1997-98


435


13%




1996-97


424


19%




1995-96


468


21%

Teachers

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it last reviewed the procedures for awarding ill-health pensions to teachers.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The procedures for awarding ill-health pensions to teachers were last fully reviewed in 1997 when the current contract for the provision of medical advice to the Scottish Public Pensions Agency was awarded.

Teachers

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the procedures relating to the award of ill-health pensions to teachers.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The conclusions of a UK inter-departmental review group on ill-health pensions will be published shortly and the Scottish Executive plans to review its procedures in the light of the conclusions of that review.

Water Charges

Mr John McAllion (Dundee East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with poverty groups regarding the increases in water charges and initiatives to counter any effect on people in poverty.

Sarah Boyack: In taking forward the review of the protection provided to low income households by the current water charging arrangements, my officials are seeking preliminary comments from those with particular knowledge of this subject, including poverty groups, with the possibility of follow-up meetings. This will be followed by a full public consultation exercise over the summer.

Young People

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to tackle patterns of persistent offending among young people in Scotland.

Angus Mackay: The Scottish Executive has been considering how best to deal with persistent young offenders and will make an announcement shortly. We have supported a number of pilot projects which address the problems and behaviour of persistent young offenders.